The Imperial Banquet had not been held for a very long ti, more than a hundred, or perhaps even a thousand years. In those tis, the main problem was also the devilish cultivators. And ironically, it seed that today's banquet was held on this very topic. So much ti had passed, yet one single enemy continued to trouble all existence.
Xie Qing smiled as he spoke to the guests. As the imperial censor for tonight's event, he was granted the highest respect and attention. Lu Yin and Li Yuilan stayed together and also did not miss the opportunity to et influential people. After all, this banquet was also created for networking, so that the older generation could support the younger one.
Within just two minutes of conversation, Xie Qing received more than ten marriage proposals, business offers, and the like.
"Speaking of marriage... I am ashad to admit it, but I am not ready for it yet. I believe it would be a more responsible decision for to first deal with the current situation," Xie Qing said with a sensual voice, his expression serious and resolute as he looked at the lady with whom he was offered to be engaged.
She was a twenty-five-year-old woman in the fifth stage of Qi Condensation. Her scarlet hair was neatly tied into an elegant bun, and her long silver dress with golden patterns looked very elegant. Xie Qing made a light bow – not too deep, but not showing arrogance either. He took the woman's hand and kissed the back of it.
"Miss, I am endlessly grateful that you have turned your gaze upon . But until I can defeat the devilish cultivators, I have no right to relax," Xie Qing said, his serious deanor charming the guests. He added, "I hope the miss understands. It is difficult for to make this decision, considering how beautiful you are."
"Ah... y-yes..."
The young woman blushed deeply and looked happy. It seed that despite being rejected, she felt no resentnt. Xie Qing sighed inwardly (though he did not show it). He did not want to enter into casual engagents just for the sake of supposed benefits. Besides, he had plenty of candidates...
"I wouldn't want chaos to break out in my harem..." the young man thought, feeling a slight headache. "Now I understand why even influential figures who had a harem couldn't handle them. There were always conflicts..."
Politely bowing, Xie Qing left to speak with the guests who had offered financial assistance to him, his family, and his sect. "What a polite and well-mannered young master," soone muttered in admiration.
"Indeed. He knows how to choose his words wisely, and his priorities are enviable. When was the last ti I saw such a resolute and righteous young man?"
"Ah, what a pity. It seems I won't be able to bring my daughter closer to him. Yet I wanted to beco the mother-in-law of a famous hero!"
"I would have liked that too..."
Xie Qing blushed slightly. With his hearing, he could pick up the smallest details of their conversation. Realizing how in demand he was, even his eternally arrogant attitude was shattered.
"What chaos..." Lu Yin chuckled, deciding to take a break. They drank spiritual wine, watching the guests. She smiled and said to Li Yuilan, "He's in demand, isn't he? So many girls want to sleep with him... hm? Li Yuilan?
Why do you have such a strange look? W-wait... it's scary!"
***
Half an hour later, precisely the amount of ti etiquette requires for the guests to wait before the ruler's appearance... The banquet hall beca lively. Many people who had not previously t the Empress were very excited. They could not sit still. Lu Yin was excited, but Li Yuilan...
"Why are you looking at like that?" Xie Qing asked, puzzled. Li Yuilan, for so reason, did not shy away from her gaze when she returned with Lu Yin and stared at Xie Qing. Her silent face vaguely reminded him of soone, making him feel strange.
"Nothing... by the way, are you quite popular with the ladies?" Li Yuilan asked as if in passing.
"Yes?" Xie Qing raised an eyebrow and answered honestly, "Naturally. In terms of appearance, I have no equal. In terms of strength at the sa age, too. Plus, I am from an influential sect. A candidate for sect master and family head."
"Well, yes..." Li Yuilan seed to relax her face and closed her eyes, hiding them.
She blushed slightly. If one thought about it, all these girls, except for those who were chard by his appearance, were only pursuing his status and wealth. So Li Yuilan, who thought about this, felt better.
And so, the trio was distracted by a sudden hush. A mont ago, everyone was shouting and eagerly awaiting the Empress's appearance. Therefore, such silence could an only one thing. Xie Qing raised his gaze. An elegant female figure ascended to the previously arranged platform with a throne. Dressed in a golden robe with beautiful dragon patterns, she looked unrivaled.
Her face was covered by a silk veil, which seed to be a spiritual item. The Empress's face was hidden, yet everyone could feel that behind this veil lay a beauty unseen by the world. Officials and other subordinates of the Dynasty knelt, bowing to the Empress, while the rest, not bound by master-servant ties, rely expressed a polite and respectful greeting.
Sothing was amazing about the fact that so many people – arrogant, conceited, proud – upon seeing a single woman imdiately fell silent and bowed. "This is the Empress, the ruler of the Dynasty for so many centuries... I must admit, her aura is very impressive..."
When he t her, the Empress concealed her aura. Although she and Xu i were like cats and dogs, it seed the Empress respected her and did not release her pressure. But now, she was not holding back. It was difficult for weak people to resist this pressure. However, it lasted only a few seconds. Xie Qing smiled, partly understanding her actions.
"She wants to show everyone. That there is no point in arguing with her, or else there will be dire consequences. Well, of course, after the whip cos..."
"My subjects and fellow Daoists," the Empress began. Her voice was cold, beautiful, and authoritative: "We have encountered a pile of filth in the form of devilish cultivators. However, as you have seen, our young talents have never yielded to them. This is evidenced by the recent victory."
Shu-shu-shu... A light murmur, like a wave, swept through the banquet hall. People could not help but discuss this. However, when the Empress slightly raised her index finger, everyone suddenly fell silent.
"The world is maintained by the people who are now standing in this hall. The recent victory was only the beginning of our epic of superiority over evil," the Empress declared majestically, making the younger generation shudder with excitent. She exclaid, "Let us celebrate our great victory! The Righteous Path is the true Dao!"
"Long live the Righteous Path!"
"Glory to the Dynasty!"
"Glory to the cultivation world!"
"Glory to the Heavens!"
Xie Qing smiled. It seed there was also a carrot here. The Empress had quite skillfully inspired the younger generation.
"Well, of course, this is the inspiration for now. They still need rewards and the like to be sure that their efforts will not be in vain."
And today's banquet was the best opportunity. Many young talents would receive investnts, people would be interested in them, and perhaps soone would even be able to strengthen their position in society and even rise in status.
In this situation, Xie Qing was interested only in long-term contracts and investnts. Of course, he redirected part of the investnts to Fang Lan's shop and to support Huang Jing. He had discussed this with them in advance. Although these two were embarrassed and did not want to simply accept his gift, Xie Qing insisted.
"Lu Yin," Xie Qing called the girl. They stood together, watching Li Yuilan, who was talking to a group of young misses. Xie Qing leaned towards her ear and whispered sothing.
"Seriously? Are you sure? You know, this is sothing very expensive..." Lu Yin was surprised.
"I need reliable allies. Since I ca here to build relationships, why not choose you?" Xie Qing smiled faintly, looking into Lu Yin's eyes.
"Hm... now I understand why Li Yuilan..."
"What?"
"Never mind... I agree." Lu Yin smiled faintly, waving her hand.
The banquet lasted almost until morning. The Empress had not moved from her seated position throughout this ti. Her presence at one point beca illusory, but Xie Qing felt that she was carefully watching everyone.
"Aren't you bored sitting here alone, Your Majesty?"
"Hm?" The Empress let out a surprised grunt, greatly surprising the two officials standing under the platform.
"What happened, Your Majesty?" they asked nervously.
"No, everything is fine. Leave and have fun," the Empress waved them off.
"But..."
"Dismissed."
"As you command..."
Yu Longfeng silently watched them leave, and then unhappily said,
Didn't Xu i teach you not to sneak up behind a lady?"
"Ha ha... I'm sorry. I'm tired of the constant pursuits at the banquet and decided to visit you, seeing that you're bored," a male laugh sounded, and Xie Qing appeared from behind the throne.
The Empress snorted and waved her hand. Around them appeared a do that created the illusion that the Empress was simply sitting on the throne. She looked at the young man. Although Xie Qing could not see her eyes, he felt that she was looking intently at him.
"Is sothing wrong, Your Majesty?"
"You could say that. You've learned a lot, haven't you?"
"Ha ha..."
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